![Real Madrid vs Espanyol [2-0] Match Review La Liga 2019/20.](https://cfrealmadrid.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/RMvsespanyol-featured.png "RMvsespanyol-featured")
Welcome to cfrealmadrid.com. Today we will do match review of Real Madrid vs Espanyol today. Real Madrid secured victory against Espanyol by margin of 2-0. The match was really a mix of highs and lows for Real Madrid. Madrid struggled hard to find the nets in the start. The finishing of young players and injuries crises at the Bernabeu now a days have overtaken the Zidane’s plan but they are standing firm and are keeping the momentum in the title race with Barcelona.
We have also missed many chances in the match especially from the left flank Vinicius Jr who really impressed the most but lacked finishing. The personal play of Vinicius was a treat to watch. We hold almost 60% of the possession in the match. The former Real Madrid keeper Diego Lopez denied the goals several times in the match with 6 saves. We played brilliantly and picked 3 points in the end but these two goals could be converted into more.
Real Madrid vs Espanyol-Match Review:
The match started with the beautiful atmosphere in the Santiago Bernabeu. It was very hard to open scoring until Varane hit his header on the ball and it finds the net from the set piece in 37th minute of the match. Moreover, Karim Benzema scored the second goal and made his sum of goals to 11 in the league.
Madrid had many open chances in this match for scoring but we could not capitalize them. In the 6th minute of match, Diego Lopez denied the goal of Vinicius Jr. as he was good against the Vinicius in one on one play. After the 8th minutes of this attempt, Benzema’s shot on the ball founded the hands of Lopez.
Courtois remarkably save the confirmed goal of the Espanyol with his hand as a response in the 27th minute of the match. Before the first half, Madrid initiated the counter attack but Vinicius gave it again in the Lopez’s hand. Madrid went to the locker room by a lead of one goal in the first half.
In the second half, Karim Benzema rose on the occasion in the 53th minute of the game, but Lopez was again successor in that counter. Benzema was close again to score added with a personal play by Vinicius Jr. in the 70 ‘ minute but his shot, left attached to the goalpost.
Benzema tried many attempt but later on scored his 11th goal of the Pichichi race with the Valverde’s cross and made it to the second goal for the Los Blancos. In the end, Mendy took his yellow card in the game and Madrid played some last minutes of the game with one man lesser on the pitch.
Starting Line-up:
Goalkeeper:
Thibaut Courtois started the game and was able to keep the clean sheet for Real Madrid. He had two saves in the match. On the other hand, his opponent glove man saved 6 shots but Courtois had the last laugh with the victory.
Defenders:
On the right flank, Dani Carvajal was playing in the back. He was very impressive and did not allow the attacking line of opponents to surpass him except for a one or two occasion but his overall performance was better in the defending as well as in the attacking.
Ferland Mendy started in the absence of Marcelo, who was injured, played the match roughly. He took the yellow card and then received his second yellow in the closing minutes of the match. He had 4 fouls in the match. He really needs to improve as Madrid is already having a large list of player absentees. The matches against Valencia and Barcelona is very important for us. He will miss a match against Valencia as Madrid will have to play the match without proper left backs after this suspension.
Varane and Ramos started In the centre backs position. Varane has really impressed his critics with the energy , mobility and agility in the field against Espanyol. He was simply one of the best player on the match. His goal opened the scoring for Madrid. He became the 15th player from Madrid to score in this season. His partner Sergio Ramos maintained the partnership very well. He was also looking sharp in the match.
Midfielders:
Real Madrid rested Modric and played Valverde, Kroos and Casemiro in the midfield. Valverde played full 90 minutes of the match with complete authority and command. He was dictating the midfield literally. He has a future to become best midfielder of the World. Kroos on the other hand, really seconded him with his calmness, composure and control on the ball.
Casemiro had the fear of one booking from missing next match. He attempted a tackle in the match but luckily got no booking. He was really rock solid in the holding position against Espanyol. Zidane has to decide him to play in the Valencia’s match because if he gets yellow in the match. He will be out for El Classico . The role of Casemiro will be very crucial against Barcelona. Going to Camp Nou, without him would be a suicide. So I will suggest him not to play Casemiro and will not the risk.
Modric came in the match as a substitute for Kroos in the second half of the game. He was also looking eager. Brahim Diaz came in the position of Rodrygo and played 5 minutes in the end. I hope he will gets more minutes against Brugge in the next match.
Attackers:
Benzema scored one goal and assisted one goal in the match. Benzema has marked in the last 4 matches at the Bernabeu. On the other hand, Vinicius Jr. gameplay was monstrous and glimpses of the roaring talent can be seen through it as well as a future aspect of the game. His personal play from the left flank remembered the Cristiano’s days of Madrid really. He was defensively very good at the match but he only needs to get more game time and goal scoring. Rodrygo was quite off color against Espanyol but he will bounced back in the coming matches. As he is young and learning every day. Both of them have great room of improvement in their game play.
Best Performers of the Match:
Karim Benzema is the most influential player in the Madrid side in terms of goal scoring. Benzema scored 4 shots against Espanyol. Benzema is chasing the Pichichi trophy alongside Messi in the league. Benzema had one goal and one assist against Espanyol. In the absence of Hazard, Bale and James , the goal scoring approach of Benzema and his role in the attacking line made his presence so important for Real Madrid. His role will be very crucial in the coming matches.
Verdict:
Real Madrid secured important 3 points which is the most important thing. With the ongoing injury crises, We have to take the game one by one and can win all the matches in this month. The next game is against Brugge in Champions league. Never forget to read the match preview of that game at cfrealmadrid.com.
Well, That’s all from today’s Match Review of Real Madrid vs Espanyol. What are your thoughts on our match review and how do you think we performed in this game? Let us know in the comments section. We will be back soon. Until then, Hala Madrid!
